Chronology 1930-1939
1930 (January) C.W. Hill, Principal of Lincoln School, advocates the unification of the separate school districts in Niles Center. (Coninx, op.cit., "This is your Life, Lincoln School").
February 8 The Niles Center Free Public Library, located on the second floor of the National Bank Building, opens its doors to the public. (Niles Center News, August 20, 1930). The Cosmos Club holds an informal opening of the Niles Center Free Public Library (Greater News (Skokie), February 7, 1930, p. 1 / Greater News (Skokie), February 14, 1930, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 3, 17 / Niles Center Press, February 13, 1931, p. 1 / Petty, 1960, unpublished / Rosche, op.cit., p.10 / Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8).
February 18 The Niles Center Public School (n/k/a Lincoln Junior High) is dedicated. Francis G. Blair, State Supt. of Public Ed. and E.J. Tobin, Cook County Supt. of Schools, are present. (Coninx, op. cit., "Information on Lincoln School").
February 28 The formal dedication of District 69's Lincoln public school building in Niles Center is held. (Greater News (Skokie), February 14, 1930, p. 1).
April 1 The United States Postal Service starts house-to-house delivery of the mail. (Greater News (Skokie), January 31, 1930, p. 1).
June 13 One hundred seventeen persons, desirous of working, are unemployed in Niles Center. (Greater News (Skokie), June 13, 1930, p. 1 / Sunday Life (Skokie),* sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8).
June It is announced that Mrs. Leo J. Regan is elected the 2nd President of the Cosmos Club of Niles Center. (Cosmos Club Archives).
August District 69 agrees to accept students from District 73½ at the rate of $100.00 per pupil per school year. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 6).
September Talking movies make their debut at the Niles Center Theater. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 79 / Greater News (Skokie), September 5, 1930, p. 1 / (News (Skokie), open house section, November 2, 1951, p. 14).
October The Central Church of Niles Center (Methodist Episcopal) is organized, and in January 1931, was housed in the log structure originally built for the North Shore Military Academy. (Greater News (Skokie), October 3, 1930, p. 1 / Greater News (Skokie), November 28, 1930, p. 1 / Greater News (Skokie), January 16, 1931, p. 1 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, pp. 25, 42 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 49).
November 9 Central Church conducts its first Sunday school in a room in the Bronx Building. (Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 2).
November All unemployed residents of Niles Center are requested to register with the Village in an effort to provide jobs. Men worked alternate shifts in order to spread the workaround. (Greater News (Skokie), Issues of November 14, November 21, December 5, December 31, 1930, p. 1 / News (Skokie), January 14, 1932, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 23, 1931).
November The Christian Science Society of Niles Center is organized. (News (Skokie), February 5, 1955, p. 24 / News (Skokie), May 17, 1973, p. 18).
Fall Girl Scouting begins in Niles Center. The first troop is from Sharp Corner School. (News (Skokie)*, February 3, 1955, p. 87 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 59).
The Presbyterian Community Church of Niles Center is organized. (Greater News (Skokie), October 3, 1930, p. 1).
Wyeth Laboratories moves to 8100 McCormick in Niles Center (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 80).
College Hill School was begun as part of the Evanston School District which is now District 65. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 111).
Population of Niles Center is 5,007. (United States Bureau of Census, Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930, U.S. GPO, Washington, D.C., p.24 / Chicago Tribune*, July 7, 1963, Section 10, p.1).
1931 (January) The first short-wave radio-equipped squad car is purchased for the Niles Center Police Department. (Niles Center Press, January 16, 1931, p. 1).
January 4 Thirty worshipers gather for the first service at the new log cabin home of Central Methodist Church. Rev. Stiles presides. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, Its first Sixty-five Years, 1930-95, p. 2).
February R.E. Cotanche is employed as Superintendent of Education of District 69. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 6).
February 7 The first anniversary of the opening of the Niles Center Free Public Library is held at the Library. All of Niles Center's 5,014 citizens are invited to attend. 2,070 books are available for checkout. (Niles Center News, January 30, 1931). Library hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm and Saturday, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Chicago Herald & Examiner, February 7, 1931).
February 17 The Niles Center Board of Health is created. (Greater News (Skokie), February 18, 1931, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, February 20, 1931, p. 1).
ca. April The Niles Center Public School at Babb and Lincoln Avenue is now called Lincoln School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 6).
June 21 After several months of consideration, Trinity Episcopal Church of Niles Center begins services. (Greater News (Skokie), June 19, 1931, p. 1 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 44 / Niles Center Press, February 20, 1931, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, May 25, 1934, p. 1).
July 10 Rev. Frederick Detzer, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church for fifty years, dies. He is succeeded by Rev. Otto Arndt, and English is first used extensively at church services. (News (Skokie), May 27, 1932, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 63 / Niles Center Press, July 17, 1931, p. 1).
August 8 The second annual Kirmess of the Luxembourg Brotherhood, Section 8 parade through Niles Center. The first was in 1930. (Niles Center Press, August 7, 1931, p. 1).
September 7 & 8 High school classes are held for the first time in the Township. (Greater News (Skokie), May 1, 1931, p. 1 / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 43). 49 students attend a two-year high school program at Lincoln School. (A revealing account of Nilehi history. Sandra Morrison / Winter or Spring, 1976, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
Fall The words "Lincoln School" are carved above the entryway at the school located at Babb and Lincoln Avenue. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 7).
October 30 Mayors John E. Brown of Niles Center and Herbert Dilg of Morton Grove issue a joint proclamation stating that Township families of men who are jobless through no fault of their own must be provided with winter relief. (News (Skokie), open house sec., November 2, 1951, p. 14).
November 24 Cleveland School is dedicated. (Greater News (Skokie), November 19, 1931, p. 1 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 104 / Niles Center Press, November 20, 1931, p. 1).
November 29 Methodist Bishop Edwin Hold Hughes dedicates Central Methodist Church. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 2).
Community organizations formed:
- Community Choral Society of Niles Center (News (Skokie), March 24, 1932, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, November 6, 1931, p. 1).
- Niles Center Post 320 of the American Legion (News (Skokie), December 17, 1931, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 100 / Niles Center Press, December 23, 1931, p. 1).
The Niles Center Park District purchases 10 acres of nursery land which later becomes Central Park. (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 24 / History of the Skokie Park District, p. 9, Archives, Skokie Park District).
1932 (March 31) School District 69 formally opens the Lincoln School, Lincoln and Harms Avenues, and the new high school is dedicated (News, (Skokie), March 31, 1932, p. 1).
April Mrs. Gilbert Lappley is elected as the third President of the Cosmos Club of Niles Center. (Cosmos Club Archives).
May Rev. Walter C. Scott arrives at Central Methodist Church. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., p.3).
May 15 George H. Klehm, prominent Niles Center civic leader, dies of heart failure. (News (Skokie), May 20, 1932, p. 1).
June 5. The Niles Center Movie Theater opens as a "talkie house." (News (Skokie), June 3, 1932, p. 1).
September District 69 Board of Education adds a third year of instruction to the high school curriculum. Registration increases to 115 students. (Morrison, op.cit., p.1).
October 11 A special election is held to determine whether a tax should be imposed to fund library services. It is defeated by 29 votes. (Skokie Life, October 30, 1941, p. 1).
October 22 The Cosmos Club closes the Niles Center Free Public Library. (Skokie Life, October 30, 1941, p. 1).
The Niles Center Police Department is formally organized. (League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood, op.cit., p. 23 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 7).
Lincoln Avenue becomes a state highway. (Villager, July 10, 1958, p. 13).
1933 (January) The cornerstone is laid at 8201 Karlov Avenue for Trinity Episcopal Church. (News (Skokie), January 19, 1933, p. 1).
March The Niles Center State Bank and National Bank of Niles Center re-open after the bank holiday. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 77 / News (Skokie), March 16, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, December 29, 1933, p. 1).
April 7 The National Bank of Niles Center is robbed by armed bandits and cashier, Harry Mueller, is killed.24 (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 30 / News (Skokie), April 13, 1933, p. 1 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 7 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 7 / Niles Center Press, April 28, 1933, p. 1).
April George E. Blameuser is elected the 7th Village President. His father, Peter Blameuser III, was the Village's 3rd President (1895-97). (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 112).
June Draining the Skokie Marsh and improving the banks of the North Branch were included in President Roosevelt's reforestation projects. (Niles Center Press, June 23, 1933, p. 1).
August Twenty-one Niles Center employers pledged to support the NRA code. (News (Skokie), August 3, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, August 4, 1933, p. 1).
September 21 Mrs. Ethyl M. Griffin is appointed to succeed Mrs. Lappley as President of the Cosmos Club. (Cosmos Club Archives).
Only seven homes, with a total value of $36,100 are constructed. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3) / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 27).
Because of the Depression, the Chamber of Commerce reduces dues from $25.00 to $5.00 per year. (Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 27).
Legal 3.2% beer starts flowing legally in Niles Center for the first time in the thirteen years since prohibition. (News (Skokie), April 6, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, December 29, 1933, p. 1).
Village Officials renovate portions of the Municipal Building to house the Niles Center Public Library. (Skokie Life, October 30, 1941, p. 1).
1934 (January) The National Bank of Niles Center fails; a receiver is appointed and liquidation begins. (Niles Center Press, December 28, 1934, p. 1).
May The Niles Center Civic Orchestra is formed. (Niles Center Press, May 11, 1934, p. 1).
June The new College Hill school is dedicated. (Niles Center Press, December 28, 1934, p. 6).
September 27 The Niles Center News reports that nineteen auto deaths were reported in Niles Center "giving the village one of the worst per capita totals in the United States. (Niles Center News, September 27, 1934).
October 4 Police Captain A.C. Stolberg reported on the results of a speed trap that caught 180 speeders. (Cosmos Club Archives).
November 28 Local funeral home director Ray Haben is notified by an anonymous tipster that the dead body of Lester Gillis a/k/a George "Baby Face" Nelson was dumped near St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery after he was shot in a robbery attempt of the Barrington Bank. Federal agents remove the body to Haben's for temporary storage. (Chicago Tribune, Nov. 29, 1934, p. 44 / Chicago Herald & Examiner, November 29, 1934, pp. 1,6 / Niles Center Press, December 7, 1934, p. 1).
Niles Center Police Chief Ted Groark is dismissed and Captain Robert Bowman suspended because of indictments obtained by the State's Attorney's Office. The case had been pending since the fall of 1933. (News (Skokie), August 17, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, September 22, 1933, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, January 19, 1934, p. 1).
1935 A clerical error results in one of the two Northwestern Railroad tracks running through Niles Center being ripped out and service to Chicago is permanently disrupted. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 13).
Tessville changes its name to Lincolnwood. (Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 27).
February 14 The new addition to Lincoln School, consisting of a gymnasium, cafeteria, kitchen, locker room, one classroom and remodeled boiler room, is dedicated. (Coninx, op.cit.).
September Enrollment in District 69 is 450 elementary students children and 260 high school students. (Coninx, op.cit., "Information on Lincoln School").
September 17 The Village Board adopted an ordinance creating a Plan Commission which provided for the orderly development of the Village. (News (Skokie), September 20, 1935, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, September 6, 1935, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, September 20, 1935, p. 1).
October Niles Center American Legion Post 320 is granted permission to form a women's auxiliary. (The News, September 19, 1947, p. 11).
October 2 The Federal government grants $22,000.00 to Niles Center for construction of a water reservoir. (News (Skokie), open house sec., November 2, 1951, p. 20).
Among community organizations formed are:
- The Auxiliary to Post 320 of the American Legion. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 87 / Niles Center Press, September 27, 1935, p. 1).
- The SUB-DEB Club. (Niles Center Press, May 17, 1935, p. 1 / 1936).
1936 (January) Mayor Blameuser appoints the Village Health Department's first full-time employee, a registered nurse, Miss Helen Lies. (News (Skokie), January 10, 1936, p. 1 / News (Skokie), open house sec., November 2, 1951, p. 19).
February 28 School District 75 (now 65) of Evanston votes to take in Village District 68½, College Hill. (News (Skokie), March 6, 1936, p. 1 / News (Skokie),* February 3, 1955, p. 111).
March 1 Niles Township adopts Eastern Standard Time foregoing the adoption of "Daylight Saving Time" in April. (News (Skokie), February 28, 1936, p. 1).
June Voters of Niles Township approve formation of a four-year high school program. Niles Township High School District 219 is created. The newly elected Board of Education appoints R.E. Cotanche high school principal. (Morrison, op.cit. / Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 43 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 10).
August 4 The Niles Center Zoning Board hears a proposal to rezone 525 lots from apartments to single-family sites. (News (Skokie), July 24, 1936, p. 1).
November 3 The Citizens of Niles Center, by a vote of 1,528 in favor and 445 opposed, adopt the "City Election Law" as their preferred way of conducting elections. (Order entered on November 12, 1936, by the Hon. Edmund K. Jarecki, County Court of County of Cook, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).25
November Voters of Niles Township approve a $450,000.00 bond issue to construct a high school building on land adjacent to Lincoln School. (Morrison, op.cit.).
1937 (April 29) Boy Scout Troop #1, sponsored by the Holy Name Society of St. Peter Catholic Church, is formally installed in the Northwest Suburban Council of Boy Scouts. (Niles Center Press, May 7, 1937, p. 1).
September 1 Niles Center Free Public Library hires Bertha Morse Rosche as its first professional librarian. She received a B.A. from Lawrence College of Wisconsin (cum laude), Bachelor of Religious Service from Garret Biblical Institute (Evanston) and an M.A. from Northwestern University. (Archives, Skokie Public Library).
Niles Township High School District 219 purchases 21 acres from the Niles Center Park District for the purpose of constructing Niles Township High School. The sales price is $60,000.00. The proceeds are used to purchase Lorel and Lee Wright Parks. (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 24 / History of the Skokie Park District, p. 9, Archives, Skokie Park District).
Niles Center rezones 5,000 of its 66,000 lots from apartment to residential property. (News (Skokie), January 7, 1938, p. 1).
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church joins the Evangelical and Reformed Church. (Our Heritage Rings for Progress, op.cit.)
Other community organizations which are formed are the:
- Niles Center Tavern Association (Niles Center Press, January 15, 1937, p. 1)
- Niles Township Unit of the American Red Cross (Niles Center Press, October 15, 1937, p. 1)
- East Prairie School PTA (Niles Center Press, January 1, 1937, p. 1)
Some new businesses which opened in Niles Center are the Cazel-Koch Company, 3401 Dempster (Niles Center. Press, January 15, 1937, p. 1) and Skokie Valley Savings and Loan (Niles Center Press, February 5, 1937, p. 1).
1938 Two-way radio equipment is installed in Niles Center police cars. (News (Skokie), February 11, 1938, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 4 / Niles Center Press, October 8, 1937, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, February 11, 1938, p. 1).
June 7 Trailer camps are forbidden in the Village under an ordinance adopted by the Village board. (News (Skokie), June 10, 1938, p. 1).
July The greatest flood ever known to have occurred on the North Branch of the Chicago River is produced by one of the most intense rain storms on record in the Chicago area. (Flood plain information: North Branch Chicago River, West Fork and Skokie River: Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, 1970, pp. 2, 30, 31, 32).
August 9, 10 Niles Center celebrates its "Golden Jubilee" in connection with Niles Center Days. (Niles Center Press, July 29, 1938, p. 1 / Golden Jubilee Coin, Archives, Skokie Historical Society, 1986.76.7).
December Niles Center Park District receives a $138,373 grant from the WPA. (Niles Center Press, December 30, 1938, p. 1).
December Oliver O. Young is appointed Superintendent of Education of District 69 succeeding R.E. Contanche. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 9).
1939 (January) 457 high school students move from Lincoln School to the newly constructed Niles Township High School. R. E. Cotanche is the first principal of the high school. (Coninx, op.cit., "Information on Lincoln School").
January 30 A severe blizzard sweeps in from Lake Michigan and covers the Village with fourteen inches of snow. (News (Skokie), February 2, 1939, p. 1 / Niles Center Press, February 3, 1939, p. 1).
April 16 World War II begins when the Germans attack Poland. General George C. Marshall is sworn in as Army Chief of Staff. (Marshall, Hero for Our Times, Leonard Mosley, Hearst Books, New York, 1982, p. 129).
November Martin "Scotty" Krier, a director of the Niles Center Chamber of Commerce, forms a committee to effect a name change for the Village. (Witry, op.cit., p. 143).
December 4 The Krier Committee (16 men - 1 woman) narrows the choices of names from 1,097 to 25. Among the surviving choices are Ridgeview, Oakton and Skokie. (Witry, op.cit., p. 143).
December 11 The Illinois Secretary of State, in a letter to Martin "Scotty" Krier, states that the names of "Oakton" and "Ridgeview" are reserved for a period of 60 days. (Copy of Letter dated December 11, 1939, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).
Among community organizations formed are the Niles Center Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (News (Skokie), January 26, 1939, p. 1) and the Niles Center Rotary Club (News (Skokie), January 6, 1950, p. 8, / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 65 / Niles Center Press, December 15, 1939, p. 1 / Skokie Review, February 21, 1974, p. 1).
Land for Lee-Wright Park is purchased. (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 24).
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